Herbs are short plants that have nonwoody stems they rather have soft branches. Owing to their wonderful aroma as well as flavor, they are often used for culinary purposes across the globe.
In addition to the fact that herbs are typically used for garnishing, a few of them are also brewed in boiling water to make teas that are perfect to relax and calm one's mind after a long day at work.
It is also a known fact that due to medicinal values and properties possessed by them, herbs are proven capable of curing people diagnosed with various diseases or vital vitamin deficiencies.
In some parts of the world, they are considered to be sacred and hence are also a part of holy or religious rituals. Herbs are also used in cosmetics to enrich and nourish skin, nutrients in them help the skin to remain healthy.
Indigenous to wild tropical and subtropical regions of central Africa to Southeast Asia, basils are annual plants that grow up to the height of about 30 and 150cm (1 and 5 ft).
Unlike the bitter taste of medicines that make them difficult to swallow, basil incorporated platters are consumed with relish. One cannot imagine their favorite delicacy being served without having basil being added to the dish.
Depending upon the variety, the basil leaves could be either green or purple color and the same goes for the taste as well depending upon the variety, the taste of basil and the flavor also changes. There is a wide variety of basils that can be grown.
Here are a few of the types
1. Sweet Basil
As opposed to its name, sweet basils generally have a spicy flavor. They grow up to about 12-18 inches tall at room temperature. The color of their leaves varies from green to purple. Sweet basil enhances the taste of soups, meats, and eggs-based dishes.
2. Thai Basil
They can be identified as basils having narrow leaves with purple stems. Has an excellent flavor and is incorporated in a lot of Asian cuisines. They are typically used in Thai red and green curry.
3. Lemon Basil
They possess a lemon scent and flavor. Late summer to early fall is the most suitable time around the year when they grow about 8-20 inches tall. Lemon basils are used in salads, pickles, and curries.
4. Lime Basil
They are a variety of citrus that grow up to 12-16 inches from spring to summer. They are used in salad dressing, baking, fish, and poultry.
5. African Blue Basil
They are a hybrid generated due to a cross between camphor basil and dark opal basil. They have the aroma of camphor and are eaten along with tomatoes, green peas, and chicken. They are relatively taller than other basils.
6. Dark Opal Basil
They have uniform leaves that are 3-7 cm wide and are tapering towards the top. Due to their clove-like scent, they can be used as a garnish for soups, consumed along with rice or pasta.
7. Cinnamon Basil
They are otherwise regarded as Mexican spice basils and possess a cinnamon aroma. They grow 10-30 inches tall and have narrow, dark green leaves. They add taste to teas, cookies, and pies.
8. Dwarf Greek Basil
They grow about 6-10 inches tall and have bright green leaves. They are used extensively in the Greek food industry.
9. Spicy Globe Basil
They are also tiny just like Dwarf Greek basils, but their taste differs greatly. Due to their spiciness, they are used in soups, salads, and pasta.
10. Holy Basil
They are sacred to the Hindus and are an integral part of rituals. Apart from them being used for religious purposes they can also be found in Indian cuisine. Used especially often in making Indian milk tea (Chai). It also has another name, Tulsi, which it is mostly known for on the continent.
11. Italian Basil
Their leaves grow up to 2-3 inches long. Owing to their spicy flavors, they are used to make bruschetta and salads. It's the most used and the most liked basil. Nothing in Italian cuisine can go without it.
12. Purple or Green Ruffles Basil
They are really beautiful. They can give a colorful age to any dish. This basil has a mild basil flavor with uneven leaves that grow up to 3 inches wide. It is also incorporated with salad or vinegar.